Bipolar Disorder used to be known as Manic-Depressive Disorder, a name that described the two polar opposite manifestations of the illness: a depressive stage which is either preceded or followed by a manic, hyperactive stage. The new name for this serious mental health condition reflects the bipolarity (cycling through) of the symptoms, that is, the radically different emotions that can be experienced and the contradictory behaviors that can be exhibited by the same individual. It is a disorder that requires specialized treatment, often with a combination of psychotherapy (primarily cognitive-behavioral therapy) and appropriate medication.

Get Help With Bipolar Disorder

To make an appointment with Dr. Z, call (678) 554-5632 or fill out the online appointment request. We can go over your current situation, identify the ways in which the highs and lows of bipolar disorder are affecting your life and that of your loved ones, or how current conflicts or low functioning are impairing important relationships. We will put some dimensions to the problem, and identify your current resources that may be applied toward meaningful and lasting change. If additional resources and skills are needed, we will treat your severe symptoms with CBT and help you feel calmer and increase your ability to choose the most appropriate response to each situation. Treating bipolar disorder is feasible, it's proven to be effective, and has helped many people who had a variety of different symptoms and challenges. Call and make your appointment today and we can get started!

Major types of bipolar disorder:

Bipolar I Disorder (cycles from deep depression to full mania)

Bipolar II Disorder (cycles from full depression to hypomania)

Cyclothymic Disorder

Substance/medication-induced Bipolar and related disorder

Bipolar and related disorder due to another medical condition

Other specified bipolar and related disorder

Unspecified bipolar and related disorder

The challenge of diagnosis

An accurate diagnosis of Bipolar I or Bipolar II Disorder can only be done by clinicians who are trained and experienced in recognizing and diagnosing psychiatric conditions, as well as general medical conditions that may cause a mood disorder which looks like but is not, in fact, bipolar I or II disorder. An accurate clinical history is essential to making a sound diagnosis. Whenever possible this history should be obtained not only from the patient but also from a relative or a close friend who has known the patient well for at least three years years.

The most significant challenge problem in obtaining an accurate history is that many people do not recognize or do not report manic (severe) or hypomanic (less severe) episodes. In fact, patients often do not seek treatment when they feel manic or hypomanic, and tend to seek treatment only when they feel depressed. Unfortunately, a depressive episode by itself cannot help distinguish between Bipolar I or II and major depressive disorders. It is therefore crucial to carefully examine the patient's history of symptoms, since misdiagnosis can have serious consequences: the wrong medication may be prescribed, the prognosis may be under- or overestimated, and the patient will suffer.

judging the patient to have schizophrenia instead of bipolar disorder with psychotic features during manic, mixed manic, or major depressive episodes.

Finally, it is not at all uncommon for patients with bipolar disorder to abuse alcohol, abuse stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine), or take other substances in an attempt to lessen or control the most unpleasant symptoms. For many individuals, these substances make matters worse and can precipitate specific episodes of either mania or depression.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

The Bipolar I Disorder criteria represent the modern understanding of the classic manic-depressive disorder or affective psychosis described in the nineteenth century, differing from that classic description only to the extent that neither psychosis nor the lifetime experience of a major depressive episode is a requirement. However, the vast majority of individuals whose symptoms meet the criteria for a fully syndromal manic episode also experience major depressive episodes during the course of their lives. Bipolar II Disorder, requiring the lifetime experience of at least one episode of major depression and at least one hypomanic episode, is no longer thought to be a "milder" condition than bipolar I disorder, largely because of the amount of time individuals with this condition spend in depression and because the instability of mood experienced by individuals with bipolar II disorder is typically accompanied by serious impairment in work and social functioning. --American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Association.

Is Bipolar Disorder a problem for you?

It is important to ascertain if Bipolar Disorder is a problem that cannot be safely ignored. The following questionnaire is designed to help you focus on and identify serious symptoms of Bipolar Disorder that you may have experienced in the recent past or that you may still be experiencing. After you complete the questionnaire and submit it, the results (point score) will be displayed on your screen. Depending on your questionnaire results, please consider cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help reduce the severity of the symptoms and work toward their complete management. Please make sure to fill in your contact information if you wish to make an appointment with Dr. Z, either by providing your name, email and phone number on the questionnaire and indicating in the comments that you wish to schedule an appointment, or by filling out the online appointment request form.

To purchase this test, please click on the button. You will be able to use your credit card or PayPal account to complete this purchase.